IMRE-0, Senior Associate Scientist, Discovery Biology

The businesses of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany; Billerica (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the biopharmaceutical industry is seeking a Senior Associate Scientist to join their innovative team focused on neurodegenerative and autoimmune disease research. This role involves developing and executing in vitro assays to support drug discovery, requiring a strong scientific background in relevant life sciences and laboratory experience. Successful candidates will collaborate with international teams and contribute to impactful research while operating a variety of advanced laboratory equipment.

Qualifications

• Requires 2+ years lab experience for Bachelor's, 1+ years for Master's, or a Ph.D.
• Experience with human iPSC-derived neuron culture preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills needed.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in vitro assays for drug candidates.
• Develop disease-relevant, cell-based assays.
• Record accurate data and prepare reports for presentations.

Skills

Laboratory techniques

Cell culture

Live-cell imaging

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Biology

Master’s Degree in Biology

Ph.D. in Biology

Tools

qPCR

Western blotting

Graphpad Prism

Microsoft Office

Job description

Work Location: Billerica, Massachusetts
Shift: No
Department: HC-RD-IEE Advanced in vitro Models 2
Recruiter:Melissa Allen

This information is for internals only. Please do not share outside of the organization.

Your Role:

As a Senior Associate Scientist, you will contribute to the discovery of drugs for neurodegenerative/neuroinflammatory and autoimmune diseases. You will work collaboratively with an international team of scientists to develop novel therapeutics that align with the Neurology and Immunology portfolio. You will be responsible for the execution of in vitro cell-based assays that will further our mechanistic understanding of human neuroinflammatory diseases and evaluate potential drug candidates.

Responsibilitiesinclude but not limited to:

• Contribute to the development and validation of disease-relevant cell-based assays using human iPSC-derived neurons and glia, or cell lines to support target validation and drug candidate evaluation efforts.
• Conduct translational biomarker discovery using patient samples or disease-relevant cell-based assays to support pharmacodynamics and target engagement biomarker discovery, while also getting a deeper insight into the mechanisms of neuroinflammatory diseases.
• Operate a variety of laboratory equipment, including microscopes/automated imagers, flow cytometers, qPCR machines, and spectrophotometers.
• Record data accurately in the Electronic Laboratory Notebook and maintain records per company policy and legal requirements.
• Prepare data reports to lab head and give presentations at internal and external meetings.
• Independently design, execute, analyze, interpret, and troubleshoot experiments and data.
• Provide technical support to colleagues in own area of expertise when necessary.
• Work closely with members in RU-N&I to support departmental goals.

Who You Are:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Neurobiology, or other Life Science discipline with 2+ years of laboratory experience in Academia, Pharma, or CRO.

OR

• Master’s Degree in Biology, Neurobiology, or other Life Science discipline with 1+ years of laboratory experience in Academia, Pharma or CRO.

OR

• Ph.D. in Biology, Neurobiology, or other Life Science discipline

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in maintaining mammalian neuron and glia cell culture; specifically human iPSC-derived neurons and glia, or primary neurons or glia, in co-culture and triculture systems, utilizing neurodegenerative disease-relevant models or assays.
• Experience in transfection of cells to introduce siRNAs, ASO, or CRISPR-based gene editing tools to suppress or knockout specific genes.
• Experience in live-cell imaging and imaging analysis experience using an Incucyte or similar automated imager; Immunocytochemistry and/or RNAscope
• Experience with Gene expression and protein analyses: DNA/RNA isolation, qPCR platforms (Applied biosystems QuantStudio, Nanostring, etc), western blotting (SallySue, Wes)
• Experience with Bioanalytical assays: AlphaLISA, Meso Scale Discovery (MSD)
• Experience in the pharmaceutical industry and drug discovery processes.
• Experience in independently designing and executing experiments in a self-motivated, proactive manner, utilizing scientific literature and input.
• Experience working effectively in fast-paced, high-functioning, cross-functional teams.
• Excellent skills in live-cell imaging and analysis, immunocytochemistry, and/or RNAscope.
• Excellent skills in research analytical software, including Graphpad Prism, Microsoft Office, FIJI (or similar image analysis software), and QuantStudio.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

The Company is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, gender identity, transgender status, marital status, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy of Equal Employment Opportunity applies to all policies and programs relating to recruitment and hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, discipline, termination, and all other terms and conditions of employment. Any applicant or employee who believes they have been discriminated against by the Company or anyone acting on behalf of the Company must report any concerns to their Human Resources Business Partner, Legal, or Compliance immediately. The Company will not retaliate against any individual because they made a good faith report of discrimination.